Kamala Harris to Announce Running Mate Ahead of Key Battleground Tour

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce her choice for a running mate on Tuesday. This announcement comes just before her planned five-day tour through critical battleground states, with only three months remaining until the United States presidential election.

Naija News reports that Harris’s campaign has gained significant momentum, achieving record-breaking fundraising and diminishing the advantages previously held by her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, since she was endorsed as the Democratic presidential candidate by Joe Biden.

Among the potential candidates, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, recognized as a rising figure within the Democratic Party, is viewed as the frontrunner. He is competing against several other state governors, a U.S. senator, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

U.S. media reports on Monday indicated that Harris has narrowed her options to Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, with an announcement expected via video.

As the countdown to their tour of swing states continues, Harris has kept her supporters in suspense regarding her choice, stating in a text message on Monday evening, “I have not made my decision yet.”

On Tuesday, Harris, aged 59, along with her newly selected deputy, will host a rally at Temple University in Philadelphia before proceeding to Wisconsin and Michigan on Wednesday, followed by Arizona on Friday and Nevada on Saturday.

She had also planned events in North Carolina on Thursday and Georgia on Friday; however, local media sources indicated that a tropical storm affecting southeastern states necessitated their postponement. The Harris campaign did not provide a response to inquiries regarding further details.

Shapiro enjoys significant popularity in Pennsylvania, the largest among the swing states that have influenced recent U.S. elections. His presence is perceived as advantageous for Harris in a region deemed essential for both Democrats and Republicans.

At 51 years of age, Shapiro could become the first Jewish vice president in the nation’s history, adding to the diversity of a ticket that would also feature the first woman to occupy the Oval Office. However, his support for Israel and his approach to pro-Palestinian protests have incited backlash from the left, prompting Democrats to be vigilant in ensuring that their mid-August convention in Chicago remains free from disruptions by progressive and anti-Israel activists.